NRC Concludes Emergency Monitoring at Surry Nuclear Plant

By WYDaily Staff Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission discontinued its monitoring mode status Tuesday morning that arose after Saturday's storm in which an apparent tornado touched down nearby the Surry nuclear power plant.

Dominion, which operates the two-unit facility near Surry, exited its unusual event, which was the lowest of four NRC emergency classifications.

The NRC’s resident inspectors continue to review the events and the agency is evaluating whether additional followup will be needed.

The plant lost offsite power on Saturday when an apparent tornado touched down in the adjacent switchyard. The facility’s emergency diesel generators immediately started up, providing emergency power until offsite power was restored.

In an earlier press release, an NRC spokesman said all safety systems operated as needed.